Harlequins may bid farewell to at least four players, with a pair of club legends among them.
The club's director of rugby, Billy Millard, is eager to reinforce the squad in the upcoming summer. However, to increase the available salary cap, player departures are necessary.
England prop Joe Marler is set to stay, but he has announced his intention to retire at the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
Discover the quartet of Quins stars reportedly in talks for a departure from Twickenham Stoop.
#1. Danny Care
According to reports from rugby transfer guru Neil Fissler via Rugby Pass, Bayonne have made a last gasp bid for Care, who was in the process of finalising a new one-year contract with Quins.
Notably, Bayonne, boosted by recent financial injections, is aggressively pursuing several established stars for the upcoming summer.
The Top 14 side has been highly active in the transfer market, having already secured Argentina speedster Mateo Carreras from Newcastle and recruited Northampton Saints lock Alex Moon.
Care's rugby career began in Leeds, before he signed for Harlequins in 2006.
The 37-year-old has represented England at nine levels, through the age grade system and a stint in the sevens code, in which he won a Commonwealth Games silver medal. In an international career spanning 15 years and counting, Care recently featured in Steve Borthwick’s Rugby World Cup 2023 squad.
The scrum half was named in Borthwick’s 36-player squad ahead of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations 2024, coming off the bench in the opening game against Italy.
#2. Louis Lynagh
Rugby Pass has reported today that Louis Lynagh is nearing his departure from Harlequins as his contract concludes at the end of the season in the Gallagher Premiership. The emerging speculation suggests that he might be making a move to the United Rugby Championship.
The 23-year-old, son of former Wallaby great Michael Lynagh, known for his versatility as an exciting outside back comfortable at fullback or on the wing, seems poised to follow in his father's footsteps.
Rugby transfer expert Neil Fissler, now with Rugby Pass, indicates that Lynagh is likely to join Benetton, the Treviso franchise, which has become the frontrunner in the competition for his signature.
Having left a mark in Harlequins' history with two crucial tries in the Premiership Final victory over Exeter, Lynagh's career has faced setbacks due to significant injuries.
The unexpected move to Treviso could offer a fresh start and potentially determine Lynagh's international allegiance.
#3. Will Collier
Castres Olympique is actively pursuing the acquisition of Will Collier, the long-serving tighthead prop from Harlequins.
Collier, who attended Cranleigh School and is set to turn 33 in May, has been with Harlequins since joining their academy in 2011, accumulating more than 220 first-team appearances.
A two-time Premiership champion, Collier earned two caps for England in June 2017 against Argentina, contributing to a 35-25 victory in Santa Fe where he scored a try.
Additionally, he played against the Barbarians in June 2022. Castres Olympique aims to bring Collier to the Stade Pierre-Fabre for the upcoming season.
Harlequins player Will Collier during the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Leicester Tigers and Harlequins at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Dec 5th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
#4. Lovejoy Chawatama
Bristol have launched a massive recruitment drive for next season, with Harlequins tighthead Chawatama set to become their first recruit.
The former London Irish and England student inter national is believed to have agreed to join the Bears with Kyle Sinckler reportedly agreeing to sign with three-time European champions Toulon.
Zimbabwe-born Chawatama, 31, was a Pat Lam target when London Irish went out of business. He opted to join Quins but will move at the end of this season.
In 2017 Chawatama was named Zimbabwe Sports Personality of the Year.
